By Chas Sisk, The Tennessean
Sales of lottery tickets set a record, rising 11 percent in part because of March's record Mega Millions jackpot.
The
lottery brought in more than $1.3 billion in the 12-month period that
ended June 30, setting a record for the eighth consecutive year, the
Tennessee Education Lottery Corp. said Monday.
The lottery's contribution for state education
programs rose slightly less, by 10 percent. The $323.4 million
contribution was also a record, beating last year's amount by about $30
million.
"We continue to hone our business model,
developing new and innovative product offerings for the playing public,
expanding our retailer base, emphasizing customer service, and
operating at all times with efficiency and the utmost integrity," said
Rebecca Hargrove, the lottery's president and CEO.
Sales were
bolstered by Powerball's decision to increase the price of its tickets
to $2 each and the record $656 million Mega Millions jackpot in March.